faq's

1. How does the application process work?

Complete your on-line application form by clicking on the APPLY button at the top of this page. Please answer all questions completely. You cannot save your work on the on-line application form. Once you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive a phone call or email from Rogue Farm Corps staff to schedule an intake interview. After completing your intake interview, host farmers will be able to review your application. Host farmers will contact you to set up interviews. Final placement decisions are made by host farmers.

2. Do I get to choose which farm I train at?

You can indicate regional or farm system specific preferences on your application. Host farmers will make final placement offers to applicants they are interested in training with. Once you accept an offer, you should contact Rogue Farm Corps staff to finalize placement in the program.

3. Do I have to pay the tuition up front?

No. Rogue Farm Corps expects a $250 non-refundable deposit upon accepting a position. Subsequent payments are due on April 15 ($500), June 15 ($500), and August 15 ($500). Rogue Farm Corps will set up alternative payment plans if requested in writing.

4. why is there a tuition fee to participate?

Your $1,750 tuition includes $500 for the class and farm tour series, including instructor honoraria, materials and supplies, and program event costs, plus $1,250 for your Chapter Coordinator’s time spent on promotion, developing materials, facilitating orientations and evaluations, coordinating classes, farm tours, and events, and administrative costs. Your Chapter Coordinator is available for on-going check-ins and support throughout the duration of your internship.

5. Are there scholarships available?

Rogue Farm Corps is working to develop our own scholarship fund. In the meantime, interns are encourage to apply to the California Certified Organic Farmers' Future Organic Farmer Fund scholarships. Their scholarship application form opens annually on April 1 and provides up to $2,500 in grants for higher learning. For more information about the CCOF scholarship, please click here.

6. Do I have to live on the farm?

Yes. In some instances, there may be alternative housing arrangements made on a case-by-case basis. Living on-farm is a crucial component of learning to be a farmer.

7. Do I need to have farming experience before I apply? Will that help or hurt my application?

No. The Internship Program is designed for those will little or no farming experience. Some host farmers prefer applicants who have some farming experience while some prefer applicants who have no experience.

8. How is this program different from other farm training programs? or wWOOF'ing?

RFC's Internship Program differs from other farmer training programs in a few ways. First, interns are placed on commercial, for-profit farms. This gives interns a “real-world” opportunity to learn farming and the business of farming that is very different than training programs based on non-profit or school-based farms. Second, interns live and train full-time on-farm. The number of on-farm training hours is much higher than most other farm training programs. Interns enrolled will receive up to 1,500 hours of on-farm training, in addition to classroom hours and independent study time. Unlike WWOOF’ing, you are signing up for a 6-8 month intensive structured training program that will include a lot of hard, repetitive farm tasks.

9. What is the difference between RFC's Internship program and Apprenticeship program?

RFC's Internship Program is an introductory internship program for beginning farmers with little or no experience. This program runs for 6-8 months, depending on the host farm site. RFC's Apprenticeship Program is an advanced apprenticeship program for beginning farmers who have completed RFC's Internship Program or who have two-years of on-farm experience. This program runs for up to 2 full seasons and is designed for those who want to gain managerial employment or run their own farm business.

10. How is this different from other internships on farms that do not charge tuition?

Rogue Farm Corps programs are legal, structured, educational internships. Interns will complete an on-farm training curriculum that is unique to the host farm site, participate in a series of classes that will introduce students to basic farming concepts, models and opportunities, and an independent study project over the course of the farming season. In addition, interns will be part of a cohort learning together in a community setting with the support of their host farmers, RFC staff and local agricultural professionals.

11. There are two of us that want to do an internship together. Is this possible?

Yes. Some of our host farmers are willing to place interns who want to work together. You should discuss this with Rogue Farm Corps staff during your initial interview.

12. How flexible are the start and end dates?

Most internships start between March 1 and April 15 and end between October 15 and October 31. There is some flexibility within these dates, depending on the host farm site.

13. How many Rogue Farm Corps positions are typically at each farm?

Some farms host 2-3 interns while other host only 1. Either way, you will be a part of a cohort that develops in each chapter location and gets together on a regular basis.

14. Do I need to have a car?

Many host farms require a car. Some do not. Many of our host sites are located in remote, rural settings far away from amenities and neighbors, so a car is highly recommended.

15. Am I able to receive college credits for this program?

We are able to explore the option for community-based learning credits or credits via an independent study project through any academic institution you may be enrolled in.

16. Are you able to accept International Applicants for the internship program?

17. I’m interested in the Portland Chapter but I’m curious about other similar opportunities in the Portland area as well.

Rogue Farm Corps is one of a few beginning farmer training programs operating in the Portland area. The others that are most related are Bridge City Farm School, Zenger Farm, and the Beginning Farmer Training Program for People of Color (operated by Oregon Food Bank & Mudbone Grown LLC). Rogue Farm Corps helps create a larger community of beginning farmers in the Portland area by sharing our classes & discussion circles with participants in these other programs.

18. I'm a college student, would I be able to participate from May through August?

Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to offer a 'short' course to our internship program. While we may be able to accommodate interns starting in early May, most farms expect interns to start in April and work through October. To complete our program, interns must meet a minimum of 1000 hours of on-farm training. We hope you will consider applying to our program when you can participate for the expected 6-8 months.